Using multi-dimensional and personalised physical activity profiles to improve health in ‘at risk’ adults

We are learning more about physical activity and health all the time. It is becoming increasingly apparent that there are multiple ways to harness the protective properties of physical activity and exercise because there are various dimensions to this behaviour that are independently important. As such, we do not all have to do the same thing (one-size does not fit all).

Rapid developments in technology mean that we can now portray simple and/or sophisticated physical activity 'profiles' and personalised illustrations of current physical activity dimensions. In turn, this means that we can promote (market) a smorgasbord of personalised physical activity choices (in the context of existing personal behaviour) with options tailored to an individual's need and preferences.

The Mi•PACT project is funded by the National Prevention Research Initiative, and is a collaboration between the Universities of Bath, Teesside and the University of West of England.

The primary aim of the project is to determine whether personalised social marketing of physical activity profiles is more effective at increasing physical activity and reducing risk than standard care (in men and women identified as at risk via the NHS Health Check).

To achieve this, the first phase will comprise working with patients to understand what personalised physical activity information they would like, and in what format.

We envisage the successful candidate will initially support this development work and then use this as a basis to build a parallel and complementary programme of research.